Company One 2017-18 Season to Feature Black Playwrights

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BOSTON: Company One (C1) has announced its 2017-18 season, featuring three shows, all focused on the black male experience in America.

The season will start with the world premiere of Hype Man: a break beat play (Jan. 12-Feb. 10, 2018), by Idris Goodwin, about a hip-hop trio that is shaken by the shooting of an unarmed black teenager. Shawn LaCount will direct.

Next up will be Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Wig Out! (April 27-May 13, 2018), about drag performers preparing for the catwalk showdown of the year. Summer L. Williams will direct.

Closing the season will be Leftovers by Josh Wilder (July 20-Aug. 18, 2018), developed by C1’s new-play development program PlayLab. The play is about a young man and his family, whose impoverished lives are turned around when a giant dandelion sprouts in Philadelphia and wishes begin falling from the sky. Williams will direct.

Programming will also include open rehearsals for each of the shows, a mixer for local college students, post-show discussions, and opening night parties. Additionally, C1 will host a curated conversations series exploring the American identity, and a neighborhood-driven program promoting community activism. The company will also launch C1 PlayLab Bootcamp, a professional development program for early and mid-career playwrights, directors, and dramaturgs.

Founded in 1999, Company One is dedicated to mounting socially and politically relevant theatre.